Cheaper Gretch ripoffs

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:10 am

So Amy & I saw Emmy The Great this weekend at Cecil Sharp House and she's started to play some Gretsch electrics with f holes live which Amy fell in love with.

I think they were both Chet Atkins versions of one type or another but can't seem to find any photos of her playing them on google. One was Orange, I think single cutaway and had the two toggles on the top horn. The other was silver sparkle and I think was thicker in the body width. Both had Bigsbys.

Any ideas what these models might have been and whether there are any cheapo versions or people that make guitars in the same vein for cheaps? Might be nice to surprise her with one.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:12 am

Actually looks like the silver one didn't have F holes and was thinner after all.

And here's the Orange one

Good ol' flickr. So what models are these Gretsch experts?

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:12 am

Gah - there is a second silver one which is a fuller bodied F hole Semi. I think these two Semis are the ones I'm interested in.

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:19 am

Not sure about the silver one, but the orange is definitely this chet atkins model: http://www.gretschguitars.com/products/ ... 2401255822

James · Post by **James** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:25 am

Post by **Doog** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:28 am

Built-in whoopee cushion, yeeeeah!

James · Post by **James** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:30 am

The silver one is a Duo Jet, and probably a 6129 model

http://www.vintageandrare.com/product/G ... rkle-14487

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:41 am

Gretsch themselves made cheap duo jets in their electromatic and synchromatic series. I used to have a red sparkle "synchromatic" Duo Jet with an F Hole and a bigsby, I think I paid $250 for. They made them both with and without f holes and bigsbys

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:45 am

James wrote:The silver one is a Duo Jet, and probably a 6129 model

http://www.vintageandrare.com/product/G ... rkle-14487

What about the second silver one, with the F hole?

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:45 am

Nick wrote:Gretsch themselves made cheap duo jets in their electromatic and synchromatic series. I used to have a red sparkle "synchromatic" Duo Jet with an F Hole and a bigsby, I think I paid $250 for. They made them both with and without f holes and bigsbys

Nice. Worth an ebay search I reckon - thank

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:55 am

Warning: the actual mid-price Gretsch hollowbodies I've played have been pony. The solidbodies less so. A friend of mine swears by his LP-alike one. There's also a bolt-on version of the LP-style one that looks the part but doesn't cost the earth.

If it was me, and I was after a decent hollowbody with these looks in the same price bracket, I'd go for one of the 90's DeArmond reissues. They're lovely, but going up in price.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:58 am

Didn't donk have a Chet copy made by Vintage? Some other brands like Skylark make copies as well.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:07 am

Ta, boys.

I think Johnstone loves the fatty F hole ones so that's the solidbodies out I'm afraid.

Johno · Post by **Johno** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:28 pm

benecol wrote:Warning: the actual mid-price Gretsch hollowbodies I've played have been pony. The solidbodies less so. A friend of mine swears by his LP-alike one. There's also a bolt-on version of the LP-style one that looks the part but doesn't cost the earth.

If it was me, and I was after a decent hollowbody with these looks in the same price bracket, I'd go for one of the 90's DeArmond reissues. They're lovely, but going up in price.

Apparently Gretsch(Fender) have listened to the complaints and have relaunched the electromatics with upgraded hardware etc... think I read this on musicradar a couple weeks ago.

I have wanted a Gretsch for ages (To play Cramps songs) I have an Epi Sheraton that kinda fills the void.
Ibanez Artcore are well thought of inexpensive hollowbodies Hagstrom Vikings to.

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:38 pm

Peerless do a few gretsch rip offs, and the ones I've played have been rather nice.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:45 pm

there was a silver (and gold) sparkle in the electromatic range, which looks very similar to hers but i'm not sure if they still make them.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:56 pm

here we go- G5126

seems to be discontinued.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:59 pm

Cheers boys, all good stuff. I'll just leave a few searches on ebay and see if something turns up.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:56 pm

Wimmin and fatty f-hole guitars seems a good excuse to post this here..

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:08 pm

Fran wrote:Wimmin and fatty f-hole guitars seems a good excuse to post this here..

at first I thought she had a polaroid camera hiding in her hair